2017 FESTIVAL RECAP

The Festival takes place during peak Monarch migration season in San Antonio, when migrating monarch butterflies east of the Rocky Mountains funnel through Texas on their way to Mexico to roost for the winter.

Our theme this year: Butterflies without Borders. Also, read more about our 2017 Festival here.

We extend special thanks to our Keystone Sponsors, the Pearl, HEB, San Antonio River Authority, the Rivard Report, and the Newman Foundation, without whom this second annual Festival would not be possible. Gracias!

Butterflies know no walls, but recent changes in our political landscape have created divisions throughout the Monarch butterfly corridor. Meanwhile, temperatures throughout the continent continue to escalate to unprecedented levels, year after year. What do these political and atmospheric changes bode for pollinator advocacy, the Monarch butterfly migration in particular?

Join us for a lively and timely discussion with panelists from Mexico, the U.S and Canada that will explore the intersections and consequences of politics and pollinators, including

• Dr. Chip Taylor, founder of Monarch Watch,
• Elizabeth Howard, founder of Journey North
• Dr. Carlos Galindo Leal, Director of Scientific Communcation at the Ministry of biodiversity in Mexico  (CONABIO), and
• Louise Hénault-Ethier, Director of Science, the David Suzuki Foundation, Montréal.

Moderated by Dan Goodgame.

Underwritten by the Mexican Cultural Institute and Trinity University

A teacher workshop that will teach educators how to use Monarchs in the classroom will be lead by the founder of Journey North, a wildlife migration tracking and citizen science initiative. Stay tuned for details and registration details to qualified teachers.

Underwritten by the San Antonio River Authority

Dr. Chip Taylor, founder of Monarch Watch, will offer a a brief talk on the life cycle and migration of Monarch butterflies, followed by a tour of the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s pollinator garden.

Underwritten by the San Antonio Botanical Garden

Entomophagy, the eating of insects as food by human beings, will be explored in this interesting session hosted by Henault-Ethier, an expert in the subject, who joins us from Montreal.  The event will include a hands on workshop where participants will learn to build their own insect farm and get a chance to to taste some bug based food.

Underwritten by the San Antonio River Authority

Our partners at the Instituto are finalizing details on an art opening and reception. Rumours on the street: bugs will be on the tapas menu. Check back soon for details.

Sponsored by Mexican Cultural Institute

The second annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival takes flight at the Pearl with a People for Pollinators Parade led by the Pedaling Pollinators Butterfly Bikes, Monarch butterfly tagging demos, mass butterfly releases, education, food, music and fun.  Costumes encouraged! The parade kicks off at 9:30 AM. Mass butterfly releases will take place at 10:30 and 12:00.

Sponsored by The Rivard Report, H-E-B, San Antonio River Authority, Texas Butterfly Ranch, San Antonio Botanical Garden, 80 20 Foundation, Newman Foundation. Underwriters: Greenhaven Industries, Trinity University, Mexican Cultural Institute, Little Herds, The Witte Museum